Refund car hire

Baljitphoenix

I'm hoping you can help. I am self employed and need a car normally to travel to my workplace, I've hired a car with Europcar for 28days starting from Monday 4th of January. With Lockdown now happening, my clients are taking my work away and I no longer need the car. I've been on their live chat and been told each branch makes decisions individually over their rentals. I've been to the branch and been told it's not company policy to refund on prebooked rentals. I've not even had the car for a week. I've asked about getting a voucher for what's left on the rental but been told that isn't something they do either. Is there anything you can suggest to help me get my money back? 

Westin

Have you read through your rental documents and the terms & conditions regarding termination of the rental during the actual rental period?

Baljitphoenix

Yes, it does state there is no refunds. I'd have thought with a global pandemic they would have reviewed their policies. Is there any other way around it?

Alan_Bowen

Most car rental offices are franchisees and it sounds as though you purchased the cheapest, non-cancellable option. As leisure travel is banned they will probably have little or no business for the next few months so I doubt they are going to give back what little income they got from you. There is no breach of contract on their part so no claim against the card you used to pay for it either. I am not sure how far ahead you booked but most saw a lockdown coming long before Christmas and it might have been better to pay for a cancellable option or hire by the week, sorry

Baljitphoenix

Thanks for the help everyone